The administration also hoisted local cautionary signal No III at all the Ports of the far-flung scattered islands.

Meanwhile, M V Nancowry, which sailed for Chennai on August eight with nearly 1000 passengers from Port Blair could not sail further and later returned to Port Blair yesterday evening.

Similarly, the sailing of M V Akbar for Kolkata which was scheduled to depart on August nine, has also been suspended. Only a few ferries on shallow water were operating, sources in Andaman's Shipping Department said.

Sudden suspension left thousands of passengers, on various remote islands, stranded for more than three days now.

The administration was not ready to take chance in stormy weather.

The local Met department has also forecast strong southwest to with westerly wind speeding between 55 to 65 km per hour and very rough to high seas along and off Andaman and Nicobar coast.

Fishermen were advised not to venture into sea by the Andaman Administration.